AFUO welcomes the reopening of Australia’s embassy in Kyiv and increased aid to Ukraine

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) welcomed the Australian government’s decision to reopen its embassy doors in Kyiv after nearly three years of closure. 

Increased assistance to Ukraine was also pledged.

“These commitments show Ukrainians that Australia stands with them, understands their struggle to defend their country, and values Ukraine’s leading role in defending the rules-based global order,” the AFUO said.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong arrived in Kyiv for a visit on Dec. 18, marking the first visit by an Australian foreign minister to Ukraine in a decade.

“Setting foot on Ukrainian soil, spending time in the capital, having first-hand conversations with Ukrainians, is the only way to understand what is happening on the ground in Ukraine. To be in Ukraine is to feel the impact of Russia’s war,” the AFUO explained.

During her visit, Wong announced new aid packages for Ukraine’s reconstruction and energy sectors. She also met with her Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha.

“We are grateful that the Foreign Minister becomes the third senior political leader to visit Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. … It is a strong sign of support for Ukraine and its efforts to defend against Russian aggression and lawlessness,” the AFUO added.

Australia moved its embassy from Kyiv to Lviv in early 2022 due to the threat of invasion, and it has since been operating from Poland.